By Damion Mitchell, Staff ReporterSEVERAL TEACHERS have expressed disappointment with the decision of delegates of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) to accept the Government's salary package for the 2002/04 contract period.
Others have, however, accepted that it was the most that could be expected given the state of the economy.
The offer indicates a three per cent increase for the six-month period April 2002 to September 2002. Salaries for October 2002 to March 2004 are being calculated to compare with 75 per cent of the salaries of those in the private sector under a realignment exercise. The JTA had proposed a 30 per cent increase for the six-month period.
"That (the three per cent increase) is nothing at all," one primary school teacher said yesterday.
At a special delegates conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, on Saturday, 322 delegates voted 'yes', while 40 voted 'no' to the salary offer.
"I think the teachers have given in," said Hopeton Phillips, vice-principal of Bellefield High School, Manchester.
FRUSTRATED
He said given the fact that the negotiations lasted for one year and three months, it would only be "realistic" to think that the teachers were frustrated. He said based on the state of the economy, it was uncertain whether the Government would make a better offer should the negotiations continue.
But Sadpha Bennett, vice-principal at the Ardenne High School, St. Andrew, said while the offer was not satisfactory, it was acceptable. "I think good sense has prevailed on the part of the teachers, based on the fact that if the Government was to pay us what we really deserve, the nation would be broke," he said.
Under the re-alignment, the percentage adjustments in the salaries of secondary school principals will range between 25 per cent and 30 per cent.
